Another step up the ladder

19 September 2018

NFFC

Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka said he was happy with how his side controlled the game in tonight's 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Reds looked the better side for long spells at The City Ground and the boss was delighted to see his players build on their impressive display at Swansea on Saturday with a first victory over The Owls since August 2014.

Speaking after the game he said: "I'm really pleased but I could have been even happier because we should have won this game much easier with the chances we had. We knew we had to take another step forward tonight after Saturday's performance and I think we did that.

"I said after the Swansea game that I was really confident about the future because that game showed how well we can play. Tonight, when playing at home, we've controlled the game and we've had the first and last chances against a very good team.

"We've tried to be more aggressive in every single way and to demand more from each other. I think we look like more of a team now and the reason that is happening is because everyone is helping and supporting each other and I don't think that was happening a couple of weeks ago."

Lewis Grabban opened his Forest account with the first goal of the night and Karanka said he has always retained the utmost belief in his striker even though he had taken a while to get off the mark.

He said: "I said three or four days ago that he is the best striker in the league and I didn't have any doubts when I signed him. I've known him for five years and I know how good he is. He showed his quality tonight and his performances will only get better from here.

"The spirit within the changing room now is completely different to how it was after the Brentford game. Last season it was the Preston game which changed everything and hopefully this year we can see Brentford as the turning point in our campaign."